Harlee Dean paid tribute to Brentford fans and admitted that he left Griffin Park for Birmingham with a 'heavy heart'.

The Bees defender completed his move to St Andrews earlier on Wednesday after being the subject of transfer speculation over the course of the summer.

And it was Birmingham who won the race for Dean's signature, with him putting pen to paper on a three year deal with an option for a further year.

Speaking to GetWestLondon minutes after the deal was announced, Dean said: “It's with a heavy heart that I leave Brentford. I've been there a long time and loved every minute.

“I had a great relationship with the fans and the players but I think it was just clear that it was time to move on and try something new and that's ultimately what I've done.”

Harlee Dean on the ball (Image: Paul Burgman/Press-Photos.com)

Dean was committed as a Brentford player from the moment he signed in 2011 to his final game against Wolves, winning the man of the match award from the sponsors.

And, paying tribute to the fans who have backed him for the last six years, asked to be remembered as a player who gave the Bees 100 per cent.

He added: “I want to thank the fans. I don't want people to remember me for leaving. I want them to remember me for all the times I was there and for playing every game with 100 per cent commitment and 100 per cent passion.

“I think we had very good times. Throughout the six years, it's only been progressing and I imagine it will carry on and I hope it does.

“They've made me feel great and feel wanted. They made me grow in confidence each year.

Brentford fans celebrate against Reading (Image: GetWestLondon)

“There may have been a few that you get at any club that weren't fans of me. I think they were the younger generation.

“The fans that have been there through thick and thin and realise how far the club has come appreciated me and I appreciated them.

“I can only say thank you and I think the club is still in good hands and I wish them all the best and luck for the future and they succeed in where they want to get to.”

In a sense, Dean and Brentford have grown up at the same pace with the 26-year-old joining the club in Uwe Rosler's first year in charge, which was the first full season of Matthew Benham taking a more hands on approach.

He reflected: “I feel I've come a long way. I signed as a young boy trying to make my in first team football and Brentford gave me that opportunity.

“Uwe Rosler and Mark Warburton gave me the chance to do that. Every game I've walked out there and played like it was my last.

“That's the way I've been brought up and hopefully the fans see that. Even in the last game on Saturday, with everything going on I was still committed and the same player that I always have been.

“You've got to show desire and passion and to try and win the game. You've got to win the game by any means necessary and that's how I played.”

There were great times in Dean's spell at Griffin Park, notably winning promotion in 2014 and that was just one of the defender's favourite memories of his time in TW8.

He said: “I had a great time throughout. I learnt a lot and became a better player each season. The promotion is one of the three most definitely.

“It was a great moment for the club and for everybody away. The goal against Fulham is one of my favourites and scoring at Wembley.

2012/13: Harlee Dean celebrates his goal against Yeovil

“The thing I enjoyed the most was the relationship I had with the players. Throughout the seasons and the years I was there I made a lot of friends. A lot of them moved on.

“With the boys still there now, I'm friends with a lot of them. It was good to be at a club where the people they brought in had the same mindset and the same way of thinking and wanting to be the best and bringing the best out of each other.

“I made a lot of great friends there and respect them all. It was an honour to captain them last season and lead them every game.”

All good things must come to an end though, and Dean felt the time was right to move on and sees Birmingham as a destination that can help him achieve his Premier League dreams but did admit the financial aspect played a part.

2015/16: Harlee Dean against Huddersfield

He said: “It's not 100 per cent about the financial side of it. It's about the dreams and aspirations of me getting to the Premier League and being at a club where I feel I'll have more of a chance of doing it.

“As good as I believe Brentford are with the management and the football we play. I don't think there are many better teams football wise in the league.

“I've been there a few years and it's been the same each season. We've played well but we're never really there or thereabouts and I found that quite frustrating.

“I want to be challenging up at the top and have something to play for at the end of the season and it hasn't happened in the last couple of years.”

The defender had grown up as a West Ham fan and was at Upton Park with the Hammers being managed by Harry Redknapp and the 26-year-old admitted he dreamt of playing for the now Blues boss.

Window watcher: Redknapp

Dean explained: “I grew up at West Ham and Harry was the manager and when you're a little boy and you dream of playing for the manager of the club you support.

“I think he should have been the England manager. To be playing for him, I'm over the moon and looking forward to learning off him.

He went on further: “It was not so much (about the location). My partner has been very good throughout all this. She understands the situation we have as footballers. She's been understanding.

“There were a few clubs that could have been a lot further away than Birmingham and it's the right choice for where I want my career to go and that's why I've done it.”

The defender, though, was quick to pay tribute to head coach Dean Smith and believes that his management helped him reach the standards he set last term.

He added: “With Dean Smith in charge and the coaching staff I can only see the club going from strength to strength.

“He's one of the nicest men and managers there is. He's been great with me and gave me that extra confidence that I probably lacked for a little while and he got the best out of me.

“I owe a lot of this to him and the coaching staff, Richard O'Kelly and Thomas Frank and I wish them all the best for the future.”